The council is progressing with the proposed north-south tram project – but painfully slowly.
Proposals to omit the northern part of the route from the project published on Tuesday have attracted some fierce comment.
Former councillor, Lesley Hinds, and Cllr Cammy Day who represents Forth Ward, are both strong advocates for North Edinburgh, and speak out below. They are among many people who have supported The Granton Waterfront project over the years, along with other important investments in the north of the city – which is one of the most deprived areas of the capital.
The Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce has also issued a strong statement in favour of the tram extension – which they say must run from BioQuarter to Granton.
The Green group meanwhile can see both sides of the argument – but support trams to Granton.
Lesley Hinds, former Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee, and a resident of north Edinburgh said: “I am a long term supporter of investing in public transport, including buses and trams. As a successful and growing city, Edinburgh needs to be able to move people around the city quickly, smoothly and with the least impact on the environment. Tram offers that.
“I am pleased Roseburn Path is still seen as a viable and cheaper option for investment to deliver trams, walking and cycling between Granton and Roseburn.
“The Roseburn Path tram project, originally called Line 1b, is mainly off road, therefore no utilities to be moved, is environmentally positive, retains walking and cycling, links to the Granton Waterfront, Western General, and Edinburgh College and supports jobs, investment in North Edinburgh and serves an area of low car ownership and high levels of poverty.
“I am disappointed it is not being recommended as first priority, for North Edinburgh was promised Line 1b, now known as the Roseburn Path, many years ago. It was supported at that time by the majority of political parties, including Lib Dems, who seem now to have succumbed to Nimbyism.
“The Orchard Brae option was always a red herring and should be rejected now. It is far more expensive and threatens an historic monument, Dean Bridge. The impact on one of the main traffic routes into the city centre would be considerable and chaotic.
“Once considered controversial, Edinburgh Trams have become extremely popular, driving support for business in Leith and Newhaven. The recent Princes Street closure has demonstrated how essential they now are.
“As Councillor Stephen Jenkinson has said the consultation on route options between Roseburn and Granton was not a referendum. All voices should be heard, not just the loudest ones.
“I would urge Councillors to support investment in public transport, and vote for Trams for North and South Edinburgh.”
Cllr Cammy Day who represents Forth Ward, said: “I’m devastated to see that officers will recommend not to continue the North end of Tramline – tramline 1b.
“For the last decade, since the Liberal Democrats proposed this tram line, I have championed Granton Waterfront and North Edinburgh and we have delivered a £1.3 billion plan for the area including the new Gasworks and Public Art, Granton Station for business start ups, and built hundreds of new net zero homes. People have chosen to move to Granton Waterfront as a new up and coming community in the North.
“Some political parties jumped on the tram bandwagon to help them in the 2026 Scottish Elections and will no doubt politicise this for the coming 2027 local elections and they should be ashamed.
“North Edinburgh has high levels of poverty, and low car use. It’s right that the tram should be delivered as promised, to help regenerate the area, increase economic opportunity, provide affordable, accessible transport, to walk and wheel – whatever route is chosen. As we have seen the success of the tram links from the city to Newhaven/Shore line with business growth and a housing boom.
“It’s too important a decision to play politics with, the right decision is to continue with plans for a North-South Line and work with partners to make this a reality.
“Edinburgh Council already has legal permission to progress the Granton Line – but no plans for anything else.
“I will be urging the Labour group not to accept the current officer recommendations.
“For too long we have turned our back on the coastline of North Edinburgh and their communities – it would be a travesty to do that again!”
Support from Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce
Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce has made a strong statement today emphasising the need for “keeping Edinburgh’s tram ambitions on track”.
The Chamber said that there is a “compelling case” for a new north-south tram route which “would improve access to employment, healthcare and housing for tens of thousands of people, including many living in some of the city’s most deprived communities”.
But they have noted that the recommendations to councillors could mean the northern part does not proceed at this point. The organisation say that they were one of 18 organisations which signed a letter of support for the tram extension and that their position was, and remains, clear.
They mention local opposition to the potential routes to Granton as a stumbling block and admit that a “compromise appears increasingly likely”.
While the Chamber welcomes progress on the southern half of the route they said: “It would be a mistake to see this as the end of the conversation. When 18 organisations from across civic, business and community interests came together to support the wider proposal, the case was about more than simply transport. It was about reducing carbon emissions, supporting economic investment, unlocking opportunity and making access to jobs and opportunities across Edinburgh more equitable.
“That same logic applies to Granton.
“The city is already committed to more than £1 billion of regeneration in the north, alongside thousands of new homes and significant economic development. Failing to connect that investment to the wider tram network would leave a major part of Edinburgh’s future growth story without the connectivity it needs.”
And they conclude: “If Edinburgh is serious about unlocking the full potential of Granton, the BioQuarter and the communities they will serve, we need to keep the case for a genuinely connected city on the table – and find a way to make it happen.”
Green group
Cllr Chas Booth, Edinburgh Greens transport spokesperson, said: “Green councillors are grateful to the many constituents who have been in touch with us to let us know their views on the future of the tram network. We have listened to those views, and have also engaged with Edinburgh Green Party members and with Spokes, Save the Roseburn Path and other stakeholders. While we strongly support the principle of mass transit in Edinburgh as a low-carbon and effective way to move more people around the city, we agree with the conclusion of the committee report that both options for the northern section have deliverability challenges.
“For that reason, Green councillors recognise the case for moving to the next stage of feasibility work on the southern section to the Bioquarter, if the funding for that work can be identified. As part of that work, we would expect that serious consideration is given on how to avoid tram/cycle conflicts. This is especially true since the road widths on some of the southern section may make cycle segregation challenging, and at least one entirely preventable fatality has occurred where cycle segregation has not been delivered on other parts of the tram network.
“Green councillors also see the argument for putting the northern section to Granton on pause for the time being.
“However, we strongly support the ambition to deliver a mass transit connection from Granton to the city centre. It cannot be right that Pilton, Muirhouse and Drylaw should be left behind when it comes to affordable and reliable public transport, so more work is needed to address this.”
